Production Planning and Control (PPC) is a core module in the field of operations management, designed to develop students' ability to systematically understand the efficient planning, coordination and control of resources in enterprises. In the context of global competition and digital transformation, companies need to optimize resource utilization, reduce operating costs, and improve delivery efficiency through refined production planning, while meeting dynamic market demands and sustainable development goals. Through the combination of theory and practice, this module helps students master the concepts and management of production systems from the strategic level to the executive level, and cope with the practical challenges such as supply chain fluctuations, capacity constraints, and inventory overhang, laying a key foundation for future careers in industry. The aims of this module are to enable students to: 1) To understand the core framework of production planning and control: to systematically learn the hierarchy of PPC (strategic, tactical, executive) and to grasp the synergistic logic between PPC and business strategy. 2) Master production planning concepts and tools: master production planning (MPS), material requirement planning (MRP), capacity planning (CRP) and other tools to solve actual production scheduling problems. 3) Cultivate dynamic decision-making ability: Improve the ability to make flexible production plan under uncertain environment (such as demand fluctuation, resource shortage) through case analysis and simulation practice.
Students should be able to: A. Articulate the core concepts of Production Planning and Control and its critical role in achieving organizational operations strategy B. Design a fundamental framework for the PPC system aligned with corporate strategic planning, and apply key techniques such as MPS, MRP, and CRP to systematically develop an integrated production plan. C. Evaluate production performance and identify bottlenecks, utilize Production Activity Control and scheduling techniques to propose solutions for optimizing production operations and inventory management.
The teaching philosophy of the module follows very much the philosophy of Syntegrative Education. This has meant that the teaching delivery pattern, which follows more intensive block teaching, allows more meaningful contribution from industry partners. This philosophy is carried through also in terms of assessment, with reduction on the use of exams and increase in coursework, especially problem-based assessments that are project focused. The delivery pattern provides space in the semester for students to concentrate on completing the assessments. The module is delivered through a series of lectures, seminars, tutorials, andlabs. Both international and Chinese supply chain management case study materials will be utilized to further expose students to practical applications of the principles. Four exercises will be scheduled to cover different topics of practices of production planning and control system. Two of these will be game based exercises and the remainder will be based on case study materials and application of optimisation tools and techniques used in supply chain management.